Easy, Breezy Window Valances

Window treatments can be tricky.  One particular challenge is when you have a window you don't necessarily want to cover or a place where drapes or shades may get in the way (uh, hello - kitchen window). You do, however, want to add something so you're not just staring at a bare window that looks like you just moved into your first apartment.  Well, valances are a great option for this particular little problem.  Often thought of as fouffy (that's a technical term), not only is there is a way to make a clean, modern version, but a way to make it for under $20 in a half hour.  I make a few of them on this Saturday's episode of Home Made Simple (okay, I went a little valance crazy).  Here's the down and dirty:

Materials:
Plywood
Fabric
Staple Gun

1. Start with a piece of plywood.  I used 1/4" so it wouldn't be too heavy, but any scrap you have laying around will do as long as it isn't warped.  Cut it to the size you'll need.  For this specific location all I needed was one flat piece since it was butting up to a wall on either side - super easy! I made this one tall enough to go from the ceiling to about 3" below the window frame.  If it will be in the middle of the wall, then use a 1x4 cut the same height and nail it to either side to create ends.

2. Lay your fabric out and cut it so that it overhangs the plywood on all sides.  My fabric wasn't long enough, so I joined two pieces together - just folding the top piece under at a stripe and stapling the top and bottom together to hold it in place.

3. Wrap the top edge of the fabric over the plywood.

4. Staple the fabric in place, putting a staple every few inches.  Be sure not to pull on the fabric so that it will lay flat.

5. Once the top edge is done, do the same thing on the bottom edge, again making sure that the fabric is laying flat.  Repeat on the sides.  If you added the 1x4 ends, just wrap the fabric around them as if you were wrapping a present.

6. Presto - a valance!  I hung this by screwing two small blocks of wood to either side of the frame and stapled industrial strength Velcro to the blocks and the valance.  That way, if you ever want to change the fabric it's super easy with no tools needed - presto chango!

You can see all the details Saturday morning, 9a/8c on Home Made Simple on OWN.  Added bonus, we're in the middle of April Sweepstakes which means this Saturday you have a chance to win an entire Kitchen Aid kitchen - all you have to do is watch carefully and enter!  I'm pretty sure I'm disqualified, but if one of you win promise to cook me dinner.